Over the years I have entertained a variety of thoughts about what it means to 'keep the Sabbath'... if Christians are called to do that still, what God really intended for the Sabbath day and how far we probably are from following what the Lord was thinking.
The Jewish religious leaders didn't seem to get it at the time of Jesus and I know I don't get it now... when was the last time I truly "rested"... and what the heck does that mean?
So, this morning I was reading in Isaiah and found this verse... chapter 58, verse 13--
Keep your Sabbath day holy. Don't pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the Lord's holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don't follow your own desires or talk idly.
So, the thing that kicked me in the face? "Don't pursue your own interests on that day"
This is seems almost complete opposite of how I have looked at the Sabbath (when I have)... in those moments, I have asked myself... okay, its the Sabbath, what do "I" want to do? -- The sabbath is for me, right? (ha!)
**SIDE NOTE** I am not saying that our interests are always contrary to God's interests, I'm just saying that my sabbath moments would look different if I asked myself, "What would bring God delight today?"
I haven't come to any conclusions, but thought this insight was worth sharing... I hope you have a great day today and maybe you can ask yourself today-- (regardless of the day of the week)
"What would bring God delight today?" -- and do it!
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1 comment:
I like this! That is a good question to ask yourself on any day, like you said. This helps to change my perspective on what it means to "keep the Sabbath" and truly rest.
We talked about the importance of honoring the Sabbath at home group a few months ago, and I remembered one of Jeff's quotes (maybe from the work series) saying that the Sabbath is not the absence of business but the presence of rest. I try to keep this in mind as well. Anyway, thanks for posting!
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